Cornerstone Diary: 2015's Christmas Party Highlights

It had been two weeks since the Christmas party of Cornerstone. It was super fun! My level of excitement was the same as the excitement that the kids had that day. Who wouldn’t? There were games, gifts, great food, and surprises.

Cornerstone Diary: A Minion Invades Us!

A minion invades us! Well, sort of.

Cornerstone Diary: The 21st Day of November and On Dealing with Difficult Students

The siblings of the tutees are also welcome to eat with us. :)

           Last October 21 the Cornerstone team celebrated birthdays. We had lunch at a local fast food chain nearby. During the meal we talked about assorted things like the previous APEC, Game of Thrones, politics – on who's voting for whom, the issue of internet speed, writing poetry, and, of course, the plan for the upcoming Christmas party this December 5. We were so engaged on eating and talking that we forgot to take photos to remember the occasion.

            Anyway, before that, the whole Cornerstone was normal. The routines were smoothly done, the opening prayer, the lessons delivered by my fellow volunteer tutors was okay, the food was great, and a few misbehave ones which is normal until it was time for the small group sessions. One of the tutees that I was handling was being difficult. She refused to come with me. So was determined not to study more because she had a conspirator. I was worried because my group was the only one probably not doing better in terms of reading progress.

Cornerstone Diary: MOA Signing Ceremony, Letters VOX, and Fun Game with YFC

         

    I’ve been hearing plans for Cornerstone’s Christmas party in the last sessions. To be honest, I can’t believe that it is almost December. No wonder the kids are motivated to participate and be good in group sessions. So much had happened. Here’s a photo diary of Signing of Memorandum of Agreement, lessons of letters VOX, and some snaps from the YFC.

The MOA Signing Ceremony

  To formalize the affiliation between Inuman Elementary School and Cornerstone the Memorandum of Agreement Signing Ceremony was held last October 24, 2015. It was attended by the representatives of the school and of the Cornerstone. Talks were delivered. I did not hear much of them because my attention was on the kids. Plus I was taking some photos. It was a bit tiring day since we proceed to have a regular session.

The parents of the tutees are always eager to support any activities that can nourish their child's knowledge.
Look at that kid staring in the camera. ;)

We were called to have a group photo then we go back to continue our activities.

5 Things I Learned As A Cornerstone Volunteer

    A few Saturdays ago I was a lead tutor during the Cornerstone session. The assigned topic for Lizzy and me was letters R, G, B. It was my first time on leading even though I’ve been volunteering for more than one year. I asked myself what I have learned in getting involved with the program. I narrowed them down to five.

1.      It is all about the students. When I decided to volunteer for Cornerstone I expected that there are many factors needed for the success of the program. Like dedication, funds, cooperation, and teamwork but these will become non – essential if the students or tutees are not interested in studying. Without their interest in learning it would be a hard situation for all the volunteers. That is why in Cornerstone, the team leaders and the CFC community talked to their parents beforehand. Encouraging them is important. Letting them participate in all the activities is important too. I make sure that they always have something to look forward for the next Saturdays.

CORNERSTONE DIARY: LEFT AND RIGHT

            The second school year of Cornerstone in Inuman Elementary School had started. It is the same place like last year with ate Tin and Kuya Cons as our team leader.

As of writing this, two sessions have been conducted. But prior to we helped in repainting the classrooms and there had been a meeting on a local eatery which was attended by some of the new members of the SFC community.

CORNERSTONE DIARY: MOVING UP DAY

The Cornerstone Program in Inuman Elementary School for school year 2014 -2015 has ended. Last March 21, 2015 a Moving Up ceremony was held in the school ground of the said school. It was attended by the different ministries of Couples For Christ, and the parents of the tutees.

CORNERSTONE DIARY: FELT LIKE FINALS

  Yesterday at Cornerstone it felt like it was Finals. Some of the tutees who were absent during the evaluation are taking the test. The others were in the other room practicing some dance that was being choreographed by the Youth For Christ (YFC). There were no group sessions or individual discussions.

CORNERSTONE DIARY: EVALUATION DAY

Kuya Cons is reviewing the tutees before the evaluation.

            The Cornerstone program in Inuman Elementary school is near its culmination. But before we say goodbye to the tutees – the first batch in the said school we need to know the progress of the tutees.

CORNERSTONE DIARY: THE 24TH AND 31ST OF JANUARY 2015

THE TUTORS

            If I am submitting a journal in my tutorial experience in Cornerstone that is based in Inuman Elementary School I would probably failed. I missed writing or rather publishing for two Saturdays. So much had happened. Luckily, I have taken photos that can compensate the words to fill this diary and some notes stored in my phone.